Danmachi: Westward Cloud [Complete]

[Vol.4] Quest 363- Unexpected Encounter

Walking through the streets of Orario was a certain white-haired adventurer.

‘It’s been 12 years since I left home, and my grandfather died.’

Bell thought about his journey and felt homesick.

"Days like these, I wish I could go back to those days on the farm." He said to himself, walking to the shop.

‘Metis. Hestia said she was the goddess of wisdom and good counsel, a supposed regal and respectful goddess. But all she’s done is eat, read books, and sleep since she appeared and decided to stay at our home.’

Bell walks in a bit of a lull.

The mood of the city was, for the first time, rather low. The death of its strongest adventurer, who contributed so much, has touched just about everyone’s daily life. His actions in creating the Four God System, building his city, and mending over two countries into a prosperous relationship were, to say the least.

‘I wish you were still here, Cirrus… but that fight.’

Bell stops walking and closes his eyes, remembering the sight of the battle. The fierce scraps of fists, claws, fangs, and magic were all so spectacular that words could not properly convey the sight.

‘Few could reach his strength... Those were your words, Grandpa, and now it’s concrete that he was a cut above every hero who tried to slay the Black Dragon.’

"Haa, I’m sure they’ll author stories and songs about you, Cirrus... I’ll be sure to buy them and read them to you." He said with a sad smile. "But that blue flame... I can tell something is coming."

'From what Hestia told me, Metis is acting the way she is for a reason. That reason may be due to the blue flame that covers Cirrus.'

Arriving at the shop, Metis told him to go get some good drinks. The shop itself was rather rundown, from the looks of it.

"…Huh? I didn’t think a store could be this… I think it’s best not to say anything."

The store was in shambles; the only part not in shambles was the sign with the store's name on it.

Bell enters the shop.

Ding~

"I’ll be there in a moment!" shouted the owner from the back.

Bell walks up to the counter and looks around to spot the menu. It has only one item listed.

"Vintage Nectar?"

The item had no price next to it.

"Yes, that’s all we have, boy," Said the owner.

"W-who said that?"

The voice came from the room, but Bell couldn’t see them.

"Down here."

Bell looks over the counter to see a spirit, one of the newer generations that are now discontinued.

"My name is Anicetus. I’m a water spirit, so how much do you want for your god?"

"Um…is 2 enough?"

"2? My prices are really pricy for two, but since you’re a new customer, I’ll—"

Ding~

Someone came into the shop.

"Hey-o, Anicetus! Can I crash…"

Bell and the man who had just entered locked eyes.

Bell's eyes widened, and the man began to sweat bullets.

"…. G-grandpa!?"

"Gah!?!? Bell! No, I mean, hello stranger! What brings—"

Bell immediately hugs him.

"I-I thought you were dead, Grandpa!!" Tears fell from his face.

"I um…Haa…" Zeus hugs him back. "I’ll explain everything. Hey, Anicetus, mind if we use your spare room?"

"So long as you don’t take my stuff!"

"Why would we!? You barely have anything here!"

After going into a spare room, Zeus explained everything about who he actually is, why he faked his death, and what he has been doing up until now.

"…Did Cirrus know? Did anyone know you were still alive?"

"Well, Cirrus, for sure. I mean, the kid was as sharp as humans go. Hermes has actually been informing me of your exploits, and I've got to say I’m very proud you got a harem! Did my advice help you out? Huh! huh!"

"It was actually Cirrus who helped me. He said I should sort out myself first and move up from there, and that communication is the key to resolving anything."

"…Really? That’s not—oh, wait, it is! So many problems could have been resolved so easily!!!" he shouted, grabbing his head.

"Even Lady Hera?"

"…" Zeus stops and looks at his grandson with a completely stone face. "No. She’s a straight-up yandere. Plus, then there was... Haa… Well, I was the one who…"

Zeus recollects what he did to make Hera his, and now, with all the experience and wisdom of Gekai, he deeply regrets it. Apologies will never be enough.

"Um… Grandpa?"

"Oh um. Nothing! Let’s have a drink! I came here to get my favorite drink and just sorta… hide until Hera is gone."

"Hera is coming?"

"Oh yes. I can feel it around my neck. So one drink and I will need to go into hiding. Gotta change my scent every few hours."

Orario's East gate.

"Name?" said the guard.

"My name is Aphrodite! I’m here to see my dear friend Artemis."

"And you, my lady?" they asked the one sitting in the back of the carriage.

"My name is Hera. Let us pass before it gets any later." Her sharp eyes brought fear to the guard.

"R-right away, ma’am!"

The guard quickly let them through, and they began to make their way to the Artemis Familia.

"You didn’t have to be so mean, Hera," said Aphrodite.

"Then he shouldn’t keep us waiting."

Arriving at the Familia's home, Astraea quickly greeted them.

"Hello! Hello! It’s nice to see you again, Hera! And you to Aphrodite!"

"Astraea you’re here? What did Cirrus lay his hands on you as well? Huh! Huh!" Aphrodite said, poking at her.

"No." Astraea grabbed her finger tightly and bending them back.

"Gah!!"

"If you say something so insensitive again," Aphrodite struck a sensitive nerve with Astraea. "I’ll break this finger and shove it up your pretty little peach-shaped—"

"Where is Artemis, Astraea?" Hera interrupted her.

"She went to Ouranos. She wanted to ask why Metis returned from Heaven."

"!!" Both Aphrodite's and Hera’s eyes widen.

"Metis!? Why is she here!?"

"Whatever it is, it must be something to break a rule all the gods agreed on unanimously. Where is she now?"

"She is currently with Hestia, and I found it hard to believe it coming from her lips of all goddesses, but she is... mooching off Hestia."

Such words left even the queen of Olympus and the "greatest" goddess of love speechless. Such a sentence was unimaginable to them.

"D-did you mean Hestia is mooching off her, right?" said Aphrodite, trying to clarify.

"I’m sure she meant that!" Hera also said, trying to come to grips.

"No… I saw for myself that she’s mooching off Hestia."

"…Oh dear gods, what has the world come to?" Aphrodite said as the life left her body.

"I…I think it must be fatigue." Hera felt tired. The brainpower to process took more out of her than she imagined. "Astraea, would you mind if you showed us where we are to rest for the night? I will go and see for myself tomorrow."